Veterinary World, Vol.2(4):133-134 RESEARCH

Detection of Leptospiral Antibodies in the Sera of Captive Elephants

Shivraj¹, M.D. Venkatesha², Sanjeevkumar¹, B.M.Chandranaik¹, Rajkumari Sanjukta¹, P.Giridhar² and C. Renukaprasad³

Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals

Hebbal, Banglore - 560 024

Corresponding Author E-mail: shivraj.mureg@gmail.com

Abstract

In the present study, serum samples were collected from 51 captive elephants kept in the three different forest ranges (19-Bandipur, 12-Shimogga, and 20-Mudhumalai). The samples were subjected to screening for leptospirosis by microscopic aggglutination test (MAT). It was found that out of the 51 samples seven elephant sera (13.72%) showed antibody titres against two serovars of Leptospira interrogans (L. australis and L. canicola) by MAT indicating the presence of infection or due to the past exposure of captive elephants to leptospiral antigens.

Keywords: Elephants, Leptospirosis, MAT, Forest, Captive, Antibodies.